It’s a perfect opportunity to promote the Squamish brand.
An early film trailer of Star Trek Beyond has been released and includes scenes from Stawamus Chief Provincial Park. Paramount Pictures crews set up in a bouldering area of the Squamish park last summer to film part of the movie, which is expected to be released July 22, 2016. Star Trek’s filming was just one of many shoots in Squamish last summer; the town had more than 75 days of filming during the warm months, but this production stood out. It was no minor feature or made-for-TV movie.
Squamish is now part of Star Trek, one of the most popular science fiction franchises of all time and a multi-billion-dollar industry that includes 13 feature films since 1979, a TV series launched in the 1960s, plus comic books, merchandise and games. Star Trek is so well loved that some people spend their free time going to Trekkie conventions where they can dress up and pretend to be Spock or Captain Kirk on the Starship Enterprise.
The story has continued to excite audiences for six decades. Star Trek has captured the imagination of today’s science fiction fans, making it one of the rare series whose popularity has spanned generations.
Squamish should capitalize on Paramount’s decision to include this town in this huge production. Like Twilight, Star Trek Beyond, when released, will pique the world’s attention, providing Squamish with an opportunity to shine in the spotlight, if local marketing experts start preparing now. It will be a chance to bring attention and new business to town. A special Star Trek tourism promotion or event, for example, could generate excitement and create positive spinoff.
There is one challenge, however: We don’t have a movie theatre. But a screening does not need to be part of a Squamish Star Trek Beyond promotion or event.
And unfortunately, if you recall, there was some controversy about the Star Trek filming, as some climbers complained the crews blocked access to a bouldering area and that they should not alter the ecology of the Stawamus Chief park, especially considering they paid BC Parks only $100 a day to rent the park. While the concerns had some merit, they should not be brought back into focus when the movie is released.
July 22 will be our chance to show the Squamish brand of cool to the world. Don’t miss the opportunity.
– Editor Christine Endicott
